DC this Weekend
 

Any suggestions for seeing special Christmas sights or events for this Saturday? Will be staying at the Hay Adams. Any Christmas tours, etc. going only? Would enjoy something with a holiday flair to it on Saturday and dinner at a nice restaurant on Saturday night. We won't have a car.

Bring warm clothes! Friday forecast is for brief snow to sleet/then ice to rain. Check weather.com. Looks like it might warm up to mid 40's Friday, but tonight (Tuesday) we are in single digits.

For dinner consider the 1789 in Georgetown..you can cab it there easily but the DH will have to wear a jacket and tie.

Here are four good ones (out of over a hundred events courtesy of washingtonpost.com city guide):

Hillwood Museum and Gardens Dec 17
4155 Linnean Ave. NW
Washington, DC
• Information: 202-686-5807
• Price: $14, ages 6-18 $5
Purple Rock Productions puppet company performs "The Snowmaiden," a classic Russian fairytale, with marionettes, music and dance. Visitors can tour the museum's Russian art collection and explore the Hillwood grounds, which have been decorated for the holidays.


National Symphony Orchestra: Handel's "Messiah"
The annual performance of Handel's holiday classic, conducted by Emil de Cou.
8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 16-17
1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St. NW
Washington, DC
• Information: 202-467-4600
• Price: $20-$79

The Christmas Revels
The Washington Revels sing and dance their way through their 23rd Christmas Revels, a family tradition in the area. This year's performance, "Journey to the Northlands," focuses on the Nordic cultures of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Karelia.
2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec 17-18
George Washington University - Lisner Auditorium
730 21st St. NW
Washington, DC
• Information: 202-723-7528
• Price: $18-$40, ages 18 and under $12-$22


The Nutcracker Brunch
The hotel hosts a themed brunch with the Nutcracker, Clara and the Sugarplum Fairy in attendance.
11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays Dec. 4-18
Willard Room
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC
• Information: 202-637-7450
• Price: $75; $37, Children
Visions of Sugar Plums dance across plates at the Willard's holiday brunch. Costumed characters from the Washington Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" will attend the brunch on December 4 and 18.

The meal features creative serving stations that include Fritz's seaport, Uncle Drosselmeyer's hot pots, Sugar Plum crepes and Clara's Land of Sweets. Reservations are necessary.

Thanks for the great suggestions. We've decided to see Hillwood during the day and have dinner at 1789. And I'm packing extra warm clothes since it looks like we'll need them.

Hillwood is one of those "off the tourist track" I love taking people. The house is fascinating, as is the colllection. I imagine it is beautiful during Christmas.